Ear muffs



July 5, 1955 A. CYR 2,712,134

EAR MUFF'S Filed March 19, 1953 EAR MUFFS Armand Cyr, Ville St.-Laurent, Qnebec, Canada Application March 19, 1953, Serial No. 343,477

4 Claims. (Ci. 2--209) The present invention pertains to ear muffs. The principal object is to provide a device for protecting ears from the cold.

Another object of the invention is to envelop the ears completely oy a device that is easy to apply and remove. A further object is to provide an ear muff that is constructed in a simple, durable and economical manner.

ln the accomplishment of these objects, the device comprises a wire frame of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The wire is formed with an upwardly closed loop extending from a free end and adapted to fit on the juncture between the ear and the side of the head. The loop is continued as a U-bend, from which a larger loop surrounds the first loop, returning to the U-bend and secured thereto. The larger loop has the shape of the contour of the ear and is adapted to pass over the ear to engage the side of the head.

The free end of the wire, at the smaller loop, is formed with a bead to avoid cuttingthe flesh. The first loop is disposed at a small angle to the plane of the larger loop, bringing the bead against the lobe and thereby holding the larger frame against the side of the head by a light spring action. A

A fabric is laid across the second loop and secured thereto. A tube of similar fabric is slipped on the firs; loop. The first fabric encloses the ear to protect it from the cold, and the fabric tube likewise prevents loss of heat from the flesh.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying draw ings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view showing the device in use;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the device;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the frame;

Figure 5 is a cross section of a modified form corresponding to the line 5 5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 is a detail section of another modification;

Figure 7 is a detail section of stili another modification, and

Figure 8 is a detail elevation of a further modification.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

Figure 4 shows the frame alone, and consists of metal, plastic or other material in wire form, capable of retaining its shape and preferably of poor heat conductivity.

The wire is beaded at one end at 1 in order to avoid injuring the wearer. The wire is then formed with an upward bend or loop 2 of a shape to enclose the auricular conduit or engage the juncture between the ear and the side of the head. At the other end of the loop 2 is an- `'nitedi States Patent 0 r'ice other smaller bend 3 of U-shape opening upward. The wire is then continued as a larger loop 4 enclosing the loop 2 and returning upward to the loop 3 to which it is attached at 5. The loop 4 follows the contour of the ear for a purpose that will presently appear. The loop 2 is diverted laterally from the plane of the loop 4, as clearly shown in Figure 3.

The frame is covered with a fabric 6, as shown in Figure 2, with the edge thereof wrapped at 7 around the loop 4. Some looseness is retained in the fabric to enclose the ear Without tightness. The loop 2 is similarly enclosed in a tube or sheath 8 of similar material, held by stitching, adhesive or other suitable means.

ln the use of the device, the loop 2 is applied between the side of the head and the ear, to surround the juncture and bring the bead l. adjacent to the lobe of the ear. After a few practice trials, the loop 2 can be applied quickly and easily. The sheathed lo-op 4 comes into contact with the side of the head, and the ear is thereby fully enclosed in the fabric 6. A firm engagement with the side of the head is induced by the angular relation of the loop 2 acting as a spring between the side of the head and the bead l bearing against the lobe.

In the modification shown in Figure 5, the loop 2 is not covered with fabric. 5', 6 and 7 correspond to numerals l, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 of Figure 2. ln the modification shown in Figure 6, the wire 9 forming the frame is split centrally at 10 to receive the edge of the fabric l1 which is glued or cemented therein. The assembly is then covered with a binding 12.

In Figures 7 and 8, the fabric i3 is brought adjacent to the wire 14 and is secured thereto by a binding 15 passing around the wire. The outer edge of the binding is pinlred at 16 for embellishment. In all cases the ear muffs are sold in pairs for the right and left ears.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What l claim is:

l. An ear muff comprising a wire bent to form an inverted substantially U-shaped open loop providing twoy spaced ends, the wire being continued from one of said ends and surrounding the first loop to form a second loop terminating at and attached to the last named end, the second loop being spaced peripherally from the first loop, and lying in a plane angular to that of the first loop, and a piece of fabric of the general configuration of said second loop extending across and secured to the second loop.

2. An ear mulf as set forth in claim l, wherein a tube of fabric encloses the wire of the first loop.

3. An ear muif as setforth in claim l, wherein a binding is secured to said fabric on the second loop.

4. An ear mulf as set forth in claim l, wherein the wire of the second loop is split lengthwise and said fabric is secured in the split.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,010,248 French Nov. 28, 1911 1,606,878 Keim Nov. 16, 1926 2,111,147 Jonas Mar. l5, 1938 2,216,954 McDonough Oct. 8, 1940 2,597,508 Majewski May 20, 1952 ln Figure 5 numerals 1', 2', 4', 

